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History of Astronomy
Postgraduate | SWI-AST80008 | 2019
Course information for 2019 intake
Map the universe and history of astronomy. Unveil the world’s oldest natural science and celestial objects. Reveal the ages of astronomy from ancient Greek philosophy and Newtonian physics to the discovery of Neptune and the Big Bang.
- Study method
- 100% online
- Assessments
- 100% online
- Entry requirements
- Part of a degree
- Duration
- -
FEE-HELP available
History of Astronomy
About this subject
Students who successfully complete this subject will be able to:
- Identify and describe the social reasons which lead to the development of astronomical knowledge in ancient times
- Discuss and explain the development of astronomical concepts and techniques throughout the ages in world societies
- Recognise the major influences on and key players in the development of astronomy as it emerged as a science in western societies
- Appraise the interplay of Newtonian and post-Newtonian physics with astronomy, and the influence of the rise of scientific instrumentation in astronomy
- Judge the social implications of the historical development of astronomy, plus the status of astronomy as an international science in the 21st century
- Design and create an essay on an astronomy topic, assessing and critiquing current knowledge, using credible sources of astronomical information and research articles
- Naked eye astronomy; archaeoastronomy; the influence of mythology
- The development of astronomy in Mesopotamia and Egypt; constellations, the zodiac, eclipses, astrology, concepts of time
- Natural philosophy and science in ancient Greece, Greek and Roman astronomy
- Islamic astronomy; astronomy in Asia: Chinese and Indian astronomy
- Medieval astronomy: the influence of Islamic science, pre-Copernicans, medieval astronomy, Copernican revolution: Brahe, Copernicus, Kepler, Galileo
- The Newtonian revolution: Descartes, Newtonian cosmology, Halley; Kant and galaxies, Herschel and Uranus, physics and astronomy after Newton
- 19th century: discovery of Neptune, large telescopes & observatories, nebulae to galaxies, spectroscopy & astrophysics, astrophotography & photometry
- New wavelengths: the electromagnetic spectrum, infrared radiation, the dawn of radio astronomy
- 20th century: relativity, cosmology and the Big Bang; the shift from imaging to imagination; modern cosmology
- The scientific method; women in astronomy; instrumentation and technological developments
This subject will investigate the development and impact of astronomy from ancient times to the present day, from the viewpoint of practicing astronomers. No background knowledge of astronomy or physics is assumed.
- Computer Test (20%)
- Essay (50%)
- Newsgroups (30%)
For textbook details check your university's handbook, website or learning management system (LMS).
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Entry requirements
To enrol in this subject, you must be admitted into a degree.
Additional requirements
No additional requirements
Study load
- 0.125 EFTSL
- This is in the range of 10 to 12 hours of study each week.
Equivalent full time study load (EFTSL) is one way to calculate your study load. One (1.0) EFTSL is equivalent to a full-time study load for one year.
Find out more information on Commonwealth Loans to understand what this means to your eligibility for financial support.